EICRs In Harlow

What does EICR stand for?

Let’s begin with an easy one, EICR is short for Electrical Installation Condition Report. EICRs were formerly known as an Electrical Safety Reports and, for landlords, were known as a Landlords Electrical Report. 

What is an EICR?

An EICR is the full inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation at your Harlow property. It is a key feature in ensuring your property is electrically safe and that you are not at risk of either electrical shock or fire. Your EICR electrician will carry out an in-depth inspection of your wiring, sockets, switches, consumer unit and more. This includes both a visual assessment and thorough testing using high-tech equipment. They will be looking for signs of damage, wear and tear, or areas which don’t meet regulations. After they have carried out their inspection, your electrician will prepare a detailed report – the EICR itself, which details their findings and advises if any remedial work is needed. 

Who can carry out an EICR?

An EICR at your Harlow property must be carried out by a competent and qualified individual. In practice, this means a registered electrician. As an essential safety inspection, it is vital that it is completed by a person with in-depth knowledge of electrical systems and an understanding of the relevant legislation. The simplest way to ensure the electrician you choose to carry out your EICR in Harlow is properly qualified is to check that they are registered with either NICEIC or NAPIT, the electrical industry’s governing bodies. Registered electricians are regularly assessed for the quality of their work and their knowledge of regulations. By choosing a registered electrician, you can be certain that you are in safe hands. JJB Electrical are proudly registered with NAPIT.

How long does an EICR take?

This depends on the size of the property and the complexity of the circuitry. For the average home, you should expect the electrician to be on site for around 4 hours. When you arrange an EICR for your Harlow home, we can give you a more accurate estimate.

How much does an EICR cost?

As with the length of time your EICR in Harlow will take, the cost can also vary depending on the size of the property being inspected. A large property will, in general, cost more than a small flat, Our EICR prices start at £180. We can provide a more accurate quote when we know more about your property. We are happy to do this either over the phone or via our contact form.

Why do I need an EICR?

If you are a landlord, then you have a legal responsibility to ensure your tenants are kept electrically safe. An EICR inspection helps you to do that. If you are a homeowner, then an EICR is a good way to ensure your home is safe for your family. Electrical installations that are in poor condition can cause electric shocks or fires. 18% of fires in homes in England are caused by faulty wiring – and many of these could be easily prevented with better oversight. An EICR is the best way to ensure your electrical installation is safe.

Does an EICR include testing my appliances?

No, an EICR is the inspection of the fixed electrical installation at your Harlow property such as the sockets and your fuse board. It does not include the testing of any appliances. Appliances are subject to their own testing schedule – Portable Appliance Testing. If you are a landlord, then PAT testing should be arranged as well as an EICR inspection.

EICR in Harlow for Homeowners

Do I need an EICR for my own home?

It is not a legal requirement for a homeowner to have regular EICRs, but it is highly recommended. This is to ensure you and your family are electrically safe and not at risk of electrical shock or fire. The electrics in your Harlow home are mostly out of sight, concealed under floors and in the walls. This means it can be hard to tell if there is a problem until it is too late. Having regular EICR inspections is the best way to ensure your home is safe and that your electrics aren’t suffering from any deterioration. It is worth noting that, in the event of a fire, if you do not have an in date EICR your insurance company may refuse to pay for the damage.

If you take a look around your Harlow home, you can see some signs that your electrical equipment may be outdated. These signs all indicate that your electrical installation is older and that an EICR would be beneficial:

• Fuse Box with old style removable fuses, a wooden back, or several different fuse boxes.
• Braided electrical flex on your light fittings.
• Sockets that are mounted into your skirting boards.
• Electrical wiring with black rubber, lead or fabric coating.
• Brown or black switches and sockets

Flickering lights, faulty sockets, or a tripping fuse box can all indicate problems with your wiring and if you find yourself experiencing any of these at your home, you should call in your local electrician. If you are based in Harlow or the surrounding area, our experienced and friendly electricians at JJB Electrical will be happy to assist you.

How often do I need an EICR?

As a homeowner it is recommended that you have an EICR carried out at least every 10 years – sooner if you are having any problems. You should also have an EICR carried out if you are planning any major home improvements such as an extension or a new kitchen fitted. This will ensure your electrical system can handle the increased power demands and will save you from having to carry out expensive, and possibly damaging, work further down the line. It is also advisable to have an electrician carry out an EICR at any property you are in the process of purchasing. This stops you from getting any nasty and expensive surprises once you move in and can help you negotiate a better deal.

EICR in Harlow for Landlords

EICR – A landlord’s responsibility

As a responsible landlord, you want to ensure you are providing an electrically safe environment for your tenants. EICRs are an essential part of fulfilling this electrical responsibility to your tenants. Unlike for homeowners, EICRs are mandatory for all rented accommodation and there are hefty fines if you fail to ensure you possess an in date EICR. 

As a landlord you must:

• Ensure the standards set out in the 18th edition of the wiring regulations BS7671 are met.
• Ensure a qualified and competent person carries out an EICR at least every 5 years.
• Obtain a report or certificate from the electrician who performed the inspection detailing results and the date for the next inspection.
• Supply a copy of the report to your tenant within 28 days and to any new tenant prior to occupation.
• Supply the local authority with a copy of the report or certificate within 7 days when requested.
• Retain a copy of the EICR to present at the next electrical safety inspection.
• If the report specifies any work is required, to have this completed within 28 days or less if specified.
• To give written confirmation of completion of work within 28 days to both the tenant and the local authority.

How often do I need an EICR at my rental property?

Rental properties must have an EICR inspection at least every 5 years, or sooner if advised by an electrician. This shorter duration is recommended due to the heavier usage that a rental property tends to suffer from. HMO’s may require more regular inspections as they are subject to their own, specific regulations. 

If you need a landlords EICR in Harlow, JJB Electrical are your local, experienced electrician. We can assist with all types of rental properties, from individual houses, blocks of flats and HMO’s.

What does an EICR show?

Once your electrician has completed your EICR inspection at your Harlow property they will prepare the EICR report itself. This will advise you of the condition of your electrical system and will include details of any issues that were found during the inspection. Your EICR electrician will make observations about your circuitry and each observation will be assigned a specific code which tells you the severity of the issue found.

The codes you will see on your EICR report are:

• Code C1 denotes Immediate action required and that there is danger present. Your electrician may need to rectify the problem before they leave your property.
• Code C2 means Urgent action required with potential danger to life. Work will need to be completed within a fixed time frame, generally no more than 28 days.  
• Code C3 stands for Improvement recommended and provides you with useful warning that an area of your electrics will soon need work.  
• FI – Further investigation is required.

C1 and C2 faults, along with FI codes, will mean you have an unsatisfactory EICR result – a fail. C3 issues alone will not make your EICR unsatisfactory. Your electrician will discuss each of the observations they have made and explain what your next steps are. They will provide you with advice and an estimate for any works necessary alongside your copy of the EICR. 

What Happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?

If during your EICR in Harlow any problems are found, then you may receive an unsatisfactory result. So, what happens next if your EICR is unsatisfactory? There are a few different steps that you will need to take if your EICR is unsatisfactory, but don’t worry, your electrician will talk you through your options.

What does an unsatisfactory EICR mean?

An unsatisfactory EICR means that your electrician has found an electrical issue that makes the electrical system at your property unsafe. The severity of the issue, and level of risk of either electrical shock or fire, will indicate how swiftly the problem must be rectified and which code it will have been assigned on the EICR report itself. Remedial works must be completed in the timeframe stipulated by your electrician on the EICR to gain a satisfactory result. Code C1 indicates the most severe and dangerous faults, and these must be rectified immediately – sometimes before the electrician leaves your property. Less dangerous faults, Code C2, must be fixed within 28 days. Once you have had the remedial work completed at your Harlow property, your electrician will provide you with written confirmation that the work has been completed. If you are a landlord, you must give this to your tenants as well as your local authority within 28 days of the work being completed.

Do I need another EICR after an unsatisfactory result?

No, you don’t need to have another EICR to obtain a satisfactory result. Once the remedial works have been carried out by your electrician, your EICR result will be deemed satisfactory. Your next EICR will be due according to your usual schedule. 

EICR Electrician in Harlow

JJB Electrical are your experienced, local providers or EICRs in Harlow. With many years of experience, we carry out EICRs for homeowners, landlords and letting agents. Our professional electricians are all fully qualified, highly skilled individuals with a thorough knowledge of all relevant regulations. We come highly recommended by our many satisfied customers and always go the extra mile to ensure you receive the best service. We are proudly registered with NAPIT, giving you additional peace of mind that you are in safe hands.

If you require an EICR in Harlow, or you have further questions about an EICR, contact our friendly team today. We are ready and waiting to assist.